The OKC Thunder will host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday.
OKC (64-14) suffered a 126-99 home loss to Los Angeles on Sunday. The Thunder is looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season.
Los Angeles (48-30) has won four of its last five games. LeBron James (left groin strain), Luka Doncic (right groin strain) and former OU guard Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain) have all been upgraded from questionable to probable.
Here’s a preview of the Thunder-Lakers game, including score predictions, betting odds and injury updates.
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Thunder vs. Lakers prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: OKC 113, Los Angeles 109
Los Angeles went 22 for 40 from deep (55%) in its 126-99 road win over OKC on Sunday. But it’ll be hard to repeat that success Tuesday against a Thunder team that ranks second in the NBA in opponent 3-point percentage (34.5%), especially if the Lakers aren’t at full strength. And while OKC doesn’t have anything to play for when it comes to playoff seeding, it should be motivated to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season. I’m going with the Thunder at home.
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Thunder vs. Lakers betting odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Tuesday, April 8
Odds: Thunder by 9.5
Over/under: 230.5
Moneyline: OKC -450 | Los Angeles +350
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Thunder vs. Lakers injury updates
Thunder: Ousmane Dieng (left calf strain) is out. Alex Ducas (left quad strain) is out. Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out. Jaylin Williams (left ankle sprain) is questionable.
Lakers: Luka Doncic (right groin strain) is probable. Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle effusion) is probable. Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) is out. Bronny James (illness) is out. LeBron James (left groin strain) is probable. Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery) is out. Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain) is probable. Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion) is probable.
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Projected Thunder starting lineup
(With season averages)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.6 points, 5 rebounds and 6.4 assists
- Lu Dort: 10 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists
- Jalen Williams: 21.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists
- Chet Holmgren: 14.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks
- Isaiah Hartenstein: 11.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists
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Projected Lakers starting lineup
- Luka Doncic: 27.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists
- Austin Reaves: 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists
- LeBron James: 24.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists
- Dorian Finney-Smith: 8.6 points, 4 rebounds and 1.4 assists
- Jaxson Hayes: 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists
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What channel is Thunder vs. Lakers NBA game on tonight?
The Thunder and Lakers will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, on FanDuel Sports Network.
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